Crash Course Black American History: Plessy v. Ferguson

Introduction

• Presenter: Clint Smith
• Topic: The role of the law in oppressing and liberating Black Americans
• Focus: Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case (1896)

Context

• 19th Century America: Law often perpetuated racial oppression
• Racial Segregation: Codified by Plessy v. Ferguson
• False Premise: Segregated facilities were "equal"
• The "One-Drop Rule": Social construct to classify individuals with any African ancestry as Black

Background of Homer Plessy

• Identity: 1/8 Black, considered Black by law
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana; a multiracial society
• Activism: Vice-President of the Justice, Protective, Educational, and Social Club

Louisiana's "Separate Car Act of 1890"

• Purpose: Segregated train cars by race
• Black Activism: Committee of Citizens organized a protest

The Organized Protest

• Plan: Use Plessy as a test case to challenge the "Separate Car Act"
• Execution: Plessy sat in "Whites Only" car; arrested after identifying as 1/8 Black

Legal Proceedings

• Outcome: Plessy charged for sitting in "Whites Only" car
• Supreme Court Appeal: Argued law violated 13th and 14th Amendments
  • 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery
  • 14th Amendment: Citizenship rights, equal protection
• Arguments: Law promoted racial inferiority, denied equal resources

Supreme Court Decision

• Verdict: 7-1 in favor of Ferguson
• Majority Opinion: Separation did not imply inferiority
• Dissent: Justice John Marshall Harlan argued constitution is colorblind

Impact and Legacy

• Jim Crow Era: Legalized segregation
• Inequality: Segregation used to manifest social inequality
• Long-term Consequences: Legal precedent for almost 70 years

Conclusion

• Judicial Failure: Plessy v. Ferguson failed to uphold justice
• Future Potential: Opportunity to make choices centered on justice and equity
• Final Message: Importance of recognizing past failures to inform future actions